The 2007 Los Carneros Chardonnay is another of the winery's inaugural vintages, on the other hand, is full of lemon zest and stony minerality, a little more coy, with some of the grapes coming from the Durell Vineyard.

Experience shows in California pinot noirs - After more than 20 years of research, experimentation and hard work, California pinot noir producers are hitting their stride.

The 2007 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a citrus-tinged, mouthwatering chardonnay that, as Stackhouse describes, doesn't have any elbows, with just a cameo appearance or oak, juicy but not flabby, a result of its cool-climate fruit.

Top Wines of Sonoma: Sonoma Wine Country Weekend August 2009

Top Wines of Sonoma: Sonoma Wine County Weekend August 2009

Earning 4.5 out of possible 5 Stars in the Press Democrat's recent 10-Year Cabernet Sauvignon Retrospective Tasting.

The alcohol is pretty high, but the wine is nice and dry, and shows impressively ripe flavors of red cherry pie filling, red licorice, beef jerky, Dr. Pepper cola and smoky cedar. The texture is pure silk and satin. Best now with lamb, steak, even a super burger.

This wine is full-bodied and dry, with silky texture and a slight grip of tannin that spreads gently across your whole mouth. Fresh acidity gives the wine depth and ads dimension to the silkiness. The wine's aromas are pronounced, pure notes of dark cherry and berry, with a floral scent and a vanilla perfume that emerges with aeration. This wine's flavors repeat the ripe dark cherry and berry and also suggest earth and mineral notes, finishing with coffee. although this wine is rich in fruity flavors, it is not fruity as in near sweet this is a dry Pinot.

Juicy and dense, ripe and showing blackberry and racy acidity; toasty, smooth and neatly balanced.

Lots of crunchy acidity in this fresh, young wine. Thoroughly dry, and with a silky texture, it shows pleasant flavors of red cherries, raspberries, cola, orange zest, persimmons and vanilla. Very fine, and should age gracefully for six years or so.

Consistently and confidently fruity with highlights of marzipan, honey and flowers adding just a touch of range, this surprisingly deep, sugar-edged working hits the varietal mark in terms both of balance and focus, and it does so at a very noteworthy price. It will do equally capable service as either a summertime quaff or as a slightly sweet mealtime companion.

Its aromas of red cherries also suggest notes of loam and chocolate, and those enjoyable themes are repeated in comfortable flavors that seem likely to hold on for a year or two.

A tropical chardonnay that's balanced and elegant. Notes of pear, melon, apple, toast and spice. A sweet finish.

A dry wine with a tiny hint of sweetness; aromas and flavors of grapefruit, peaches and golden apples.

Nice raspberry-scented wine with berry fruit flavors and a bit of creaminess in the finish. Nor for the faint of heart.

From a steeped, sloped vineyard with 60-degrees inclines, this is a classic zin for those who love the classic brambly raspberry style. Exciting to drink, especially with summertime barbecue.

Push the boat out with these very limited-production Sonoma Cabs.

Heady cassis nose, sumptuous and perfumed. Suave, concentrated and tannic, with a firm structure that should ensure a long life ahead. From 2009.

An aromatic viognier with notes of honeysuckle and orange blossom. Lush and lively. Spot on.

Dense chocolatey nose. Rich, with concentrated black fruits, sleek but structured, but with freshness and persistence. From 2010.

Push the boat out for these very limited-production Sonoma cabs.

One reason why zinfandel is my favorite wine is that it's quite versatile with food (and especially compliments the barbecue and grilled foods popular this time of year). My tasting was dominated by Sonoma County 2006 Murphy-Goode Liar's Dice.

One reason why zinfandel is my favorite wine is that it's quite versatile with food (and especially compliments the barbecue and grilled foods popular this time of year). My tasting was dominated by Sonoma County 2005 Murphy-Goode Snake Eyes Ellis Ranch.

Cherry with a mature oak nose. Lively cherry expression in the mouth with a long finish. A terrific wine that seems to add up to more than the sum of its parts.

Pinot Noir is one of California's increasingly strong suits, although quality at the right price can be hard to come by. Within that category I would include the smooth-textured and subtly oaked 2006 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.